MOOD DISORDER TREATMENT IN SAN DIEGO
At Achieve Concierge, our team of expert healthcare clinicians takes a collaborative approach to mood disorder mental health treatment. We respect and value each of our patients and work to deliver the highest level of patient care, which has helped us to become a top choice for mood disorder treatment in San Diego.
At Achieve Concierge, we combine state-of-the-art treatment services with unparalleled concierge-style patient care to treat major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and other types of mood disorders. We integrate evidence-based treatment elements into a personalized plan to treat fatigue, difficulty concentrating, sudden weight loss or gain and other mood disorder symptoms. We also teach our patients about mood disorders, how they impact everyday life, and how to cope with mood disorder symptoms.
WHAT IS A MOOD DISORDER?
Mood disorders are a type of mental health condition characterized by persistent changes in a person’s mood that can affect their daily functioning and overall quality of life. They can range from depressive disorders, which involve prolonged periods of sadness or hopelessness, to bipolar disorders that shift between depressive and manic states.
Some of the most common mood disorders include:
- Major depressive disorder (MDD): Major depressive disorder, or depression, is a mood disorder that causes profound feelings of sadness, despair and a lack of interest in activities. Symptoms may also include changes in appetite, fatigue, sleep disturbances and aches or pains. While it’s normal to feel “down” on occasion, depression is persistent, recurring and severe enough to interfere with daily life.
- Bipolar disorder: Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is a mood disorder that causes extreme fluctuations in mood, from manic highs to extreme lows. Symptoms of mania include increased energy, rapid speech, agitation and impulsive behavior, while depressive episodes can bring about feelings of sadness, hopelessness and fatigue. While mood swings are the hallmark of bipolar disorder, symptoms may vary from person to person. Someone with bipolar I disorder experiences mania with or without a depressive episode, while a person with bipolar II disorder experiences a less severe form of mania called hypomania, followed by a major depressive episode.
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that emerges during a specific time of year, usually during the winter months when there is less natural sunlight available. Symptoms are similar to clinical depression but tend to resolve in the spring as the days get longer. However, some people experience summer-onset SAD, with symptoms like anxiety, depression and poor sleep that begin in the summer and fade away in the fall or winter.
- Other mood disorders: Mood disorders can also be caused by the effects of certain medications, substance use or alcoholism. Many medical conditions, such as cancer, injuries or chronic illnesses, can also trigger symptoms of depression.
Mood disorders can make it hard to function normally and do the things you usually enjoy, such as going to work or spending time with your family. Leaving them untreated can worsen symptoms and, in some cases, lead to suicidal thoughts. However, your quality of life can improve dramatically with the proper support.
WHAT CAUSES MOOD DISORDERS?
While experts haven’t identified the exact cause of mood disorders, researchers and medical professionals believe a combination of genetic, environmental and biological factors play a role. A family history of mood disorders, past trauma, stressful life events and chronic illnesses such as Parkinson’s disease may also increase the risk of developing a mood disorder.
SYMPTOMS OF MOOD DISORDERS
Mood disorder symptoms vary depending on the specific diagnosis. However, common symptoms of mood disorders may include:
- Persistent feelings of sadness or emptiness
- Irritability or frustration
- Loss of interest in hobbies and other activities
- Mood swings
- Sleep disturbances (sleeping too much or too little)
- Changes in appetite (weight gain or weight loss)
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Slowed thinking
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Symptoms can vary in intensity and may fluctuate, but are often severe enough to interfere with daily activities. If you or someone you love is experiencing the symptoms of a mood disorder, it’s important to seek help. Mood disorders are treatable and can be managed with the right care, helping individuals rediscover a sense of balance and lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TREAT A MOOD DISORDER?
Mood disorders are complex conditions that require multi-faceted, personalized treatment. Many mood disorders are unlikely to go away on their own, making it essential to seek professional help at the onset of symptoms for proper diagnosis and management.
Medication and psychotherapy are common treatments for mood disorders. In some cases, medication or psychotherapy can be used separately to help patients cope with their symptoms. Other times, medication and psychotherapy are used together to help a patient manage a mood disorder. There is no telling if medication, psychotherapy, or both will successfully help a patient, so each treatment plan must be tailored to the individual.
The medications used to treat mood disorders may include antidepressants, mood stabilizers and antipsychotics to help control symptoms. The use of medication has been found to be successful in treating a number of mood disorders, especially when combined with psychotherapy. Medication helps to stabilize brain chemistry, while psychotherapy focuses on changing harmful thought patterns or behaviors that may exacerbate symptoms.
For people with seasonal mood disorders like SAD, light therapy is often incorporated to restore the body’s natural circadian rhythm and balance the production of certain chemicals in the brain, such as melatonin and serotonin. An imbalance in these chemicals during the winter months is thought to contribute to the onset of seasonal depression symptoms.
MOOD DISORDER TREATMENT AT ACHIEVE CONCIERGE
At Achieve Concierge, we develop personalized treatment plans for each of our patients. We work to deliver a total wellness experience that supports the body, mind and spirit. With our mood disorder treatment program, we carefully coordinate patient care because we understand that each mood disorder patient is unique, and that when the body, mind, and spirit are out of sync, the consequences can be dire. As such, we account for a mood disorder patient’s needs, preferences and belief systems to help correct this imbalance.
Our multi-disciplinary team of experienced mental health professionals collaborates to provide highly customized treatment plans that encompass the whole person, going beyond symptom management to help individuals navigate the challenges of living with a mood disorder. We incorporate a variety of evidence-based and holistic techniques such as medication, therapy and lifestyle to promote lasting recovery. Our goal is to give each patient the tools and support they need to achieve stability, harmony and a renewed sense of wellness in their lives.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION AT ACHIEVE CONCIERGE TODAY
At Achieve Concierge, our personalized approach to care promotes comprehensive mental wellness and ensures that our mood disorder patients are fully supported as they undergo treatment. To learn more about how we treat mood disorders or to schedule a free consultation, please contact us online or call us today at (619) 393-5871.